Have you been thinking about accessorizing your outfits with a burst of color by choosing just the right jewelry pieces? Or maybe you want to buy a gift for a close friend. You are sure to find useful advice in this selection of tips and tricks.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. A jewelry box or drawstring bag out of a humid area is ideal. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
Try using a simple polishing cloth on your jewelery collection. These cloths can replace the need for chemicals or solvents during the process. You can use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry in the same way you would polish a drinking glass. Use the side of the cloth that is designed for polishing to remove fingerprints, dust and other surface imperfections, and then use the opposite side to buff the jewelry and make it gleam.
Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. While both natural and synthetic stones are still real, imitation is just glass or plastic made to look like the natural stone. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. These can erode both the color and the materials of your jewelry.
Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Look at the pieces up close before purchasing them, and be sure to compare them to others. Keep an eye out for deceptive tricks to cause you to think a diamond is better than it actually is.
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. You can protect your jeweled investments with hooks, boxes and holders that keep each piece intact and prevent tangles. Don’t just put them in one huge, unorganized pile. This haphazard approach can cause damage to the individual components of fine jewelry, and create a tangled mess.
Before purchasing a new pieces, look at the latest jewelry trends. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!
If you want costume jewelery, you will have to take care of it. A piece that isn’t in very good condition won’t be worth it, and since you may be thinking of an expensive item as an investment, it’s important to watch for wear and tear. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
Keep your jewelry from tarnishing as best as you can. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. If you must take your jewelry somewhere wet, prepare it by adding some clear nail polish on the surface.
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. Jewelry is composed of different stones, metals, and settings that all require different care to be properly maintained. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. If you are unfamiliar with the correct way to clean or maintain a piece, consult a jeweler.
You should try and wear the jewelery once to see if it will hang on you right. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
Costume Jewelry
An attractive brooch can increase visual interest and accent your waist. Pin the brooch on your belt in the center, or offset to one side.
Costume jewelry should be taken care of. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with harsh chemicals. Wiping it down with a damp, warm cloth and then drying it with another cloth is the best care for it. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
Gems are given chemical treatments in the process of cutting, polishing and setting. When you are thinking of buying, ask what treatment a stone was given. Different care is required for different treatments. If you use the wrong cleanser because you are uneducated about the gem, you could strip off the treatment and even damage the stone.
If you are getting jewelry for someone you consider to be one-of-a-kind, think about buying a piece that’s the same: unique and specially-crafted. An item that highlights their personality indicates that you put time and effort into the purchase, which is what you should convey when giving jewelry to someone.
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. It is tempting to throw in the towel against knotted metal, but plastic wrap should be reached for instead. Put your knotted chains on the plastic wrap and cover with a little baby oil. Untangle it with some needles. Wash any oil residue from the necklace with dishwashing liquid, and gently pat it dry.
This will accent the belt, and will add a lot of visual interest. Pin it in the front or at your hip.
When photographing a jewelry piece to sell online, aim to present it attractively, in a well-lit, close-up and clear photograph. Handling jewelry often helps the customer make up his mind but this is not possible with online transactions. Make sure you take a photo of the jewelery in a place that will focus on it and not the background.
Now that you have undoubtedly learned some new and interesting facts about jewelry, you can be more confident in your selection and appraisal of lustrous gemstones, sparkling diamonds, colorful beads and gleaming metals like silver, gold and platinum. Whether you buy it, give it, receive it or inherit it, a fine piece of well-cared-for jewelry is something you can enjoy for many years to come.
You will want to purchase jewelry that will have an extended lifespan if you are spending a great deal of money. Although you’ll almost always get high quality when the item is expensive, don’t forget to consider the style as well. Very often pieces that are currently trendy wind up looking foolish later. Be on the lookout for something timeless and classic.